• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2002.06d
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• pp.393-396
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• 2002

In this paper, we present a new method for generating a set of complementary sequences that can be simultaneously transmitted and yet compressed into a short pulse on reveive, and its application to ultrasound imaging. This new complementary sequences can be designed based on a filter bank theory. The new complementary sequences can be used to improve the SNR of ultrasound imaging without sacrificing the spatial resolution and frame rate, compared to conventional pulse-echo imaging. Computer simulations are performed to verify the proposed method.

• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.402-410
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• 2006

This paper presents a method for feature based block motion estimation that uses multi -resolution image sequences to obtain the panoramic images in the continuous ultrasound image sequences. In the conventional block motion estimation method, the centers of motion estimation blocks are set at the predetermined and equally spaced locations. This requires the large blocks to include at least one feature, which inevitably requires long estimation time. In this paper, we propose an adaptive method which locates the center of the motion estimation blocks at the feature points. This make it possible to reduce the block size while keeping the motion estimation accuracy The Harris-Stephen corner detector is used to get the feature points. The comer points tend to group together, which cause the error in the global motion estimation. In order to distribute the feature points as evenly as Possible, the image is firstly divided into regular subregions, and a strongest corner point is selected as a feature in each subregion. The ultrasound Images contain speckle patterns and noise. In order to reduce the noise artifact and reduce the computational time, the proposed method use the multi-resolution image sequences. The first algorithm estimates the motion in the smoothed low resolution image, and the estimated motion is prolongated to the next higher resolution image. By this way the size of search region can be reduced in the higher resolution image. Experiments were performed on three types of ultrasound image sequences. These were shown that the proposed method reduces both the computational time (from 77ms to 44ms) and the displaced frame difference (from 66.02 to 58.08).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.489-491
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• 2002

The need for video diagnosis in medicine has been increased and real-time transfer of digital video will be an important component in PACS and telemedicine. But, Network environment has certain limitations that the required throughput can not satisfy quality of service (QoS). MPEG-4 ratified as a moving video standard by the ISO/IEC provides very efficient video coding covering the various ranges of low bit-rate in network environment. We implemented MPEG-4 CODEC (coder/decoder) and applied various compression ratios to moving ultrasound images. These images were displayed in random order on a client monitor passed through network. Radiologists determined subjective opinion scores for evaluating clinically acceptable image quality and then these were statistically processed in the t-Test method. Moreover the MPEG-4 decoded images were quantitatively analyzed by computing peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) to objectively evaluate image quality. The bit-rate to maintain clinically acceptable image quality was up to 0.8Mbps. We successfully implemented the adaptive throughput or bit-rate relative to the image quality of ultrasound sequences used MPEG-4 that can be applied for diagnostic performance in real-time.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2012

Recently, several ultrasound imaging techniques for tissue characterization have been developed. Among them, ultrasound elastography is regarded as the most promising modality and has been rapidly developed. One of ultrasound elastography techniques is shear modulus imaging. Normal and cancerous tissues show big difference of shear moduli and they have good image contrast. However shear wave elastography requires more complicated hardware and more computations for image reconstruction algorithm. Therefore new efficient techniques are being developed. In this paper, we have developed a very flexible ultrasound system for elastography experiments. The developed system has capabilities to acquire ultrasound RF data of all channels and generate arbitrary ultrasound pulse sequences. It has a huge amount of memories for RF data acquisition and a simple and flexible pulse generator. We have verified the performance of the system showing conventional B-mode images and preliminary results of elastography. The developed system will be used to verify our own reconstruction algorithm and to develop more efficient elastography techniques.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2024

The tarsus in dogs has a complex structure that makes its evaluation relatively challenging. Because an accurate diagnosis of the tarsus is difficult through basic examinations alone, imaging tests are essential. Previous studies have explored the anatomical and radiological features of the canine tarsus using several imaging modalities. However, the imaging utility of the tarsus across different modalities has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to visualize the tarsal structures using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, compare their utility, and propose suitable imaging modalities and conditions for evaluating specific tarsal structures. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound scans of the tarsus of four healthy dogs were performed, and two observers rated the utility of each image on a five-point scale. Although MRI is more beneficial for assessing the tarsal structures than ultrasound, ultrasound also appears clinically useful for evaluating the cranial tibialis muscle, deep digital flexor tendon, subcutaneous fat, joint space, and superficial digital flexor tendon. In addition, each structure of interest can be evaluated for optimal visibility using specific ultrasound sections, MRI sequences, and planes. In veterinary clinical practice, an initial assessment using ultrasound imaging with optimal visibility is required and if further evaluation is necessary, MRI examinations with optimal MRI sequences and planes can be performed.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.115-116
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• 1998

Pulse echo techniques have been used for the conventional medical ultrasound imaging systems. However, their resolution is limited in the transmitted signal power. To overcome this limit, pulse compression method used in the radar systems was proposed. This system transmits a continuous coded signal and then compresses the received signal into the short and high resolution pulse by using correlator. The reflectors can be detected by cross-correlation between the transmitted signal and the received signal with the depth information. In this paper, we will present a comparative study of the performances of the most common sequences(pseudo-chirp, m-sequences, modified Golay code). The best result for improving resolution is obtained with the modified Golay Code.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.292-301
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• 2002

Ultrasound waves interact strongly with the orientation and sequence of the plies in a layup when propagating in the thickness direction of composite laminates. Also the layup orientation greatly influences its properties in a composite laminate. If the layup orientation of a ply is misaligned, it could result in the part being rejected and discarded. Now, most researchers cut a small coupon from the waste edge and use a microscope to optically verify the ply sequences on important parts. This may add a substantial cost to the production since the test is both labor intensive and performed after the part is cured. A nondestructive technique would be very beneficial, which could be used to test the part after curing and requires less time than the optical test. Therefore we have developed, reduced, and implemented a novel ply-by-ply vector decomposition model for composite laminates fabricated from unidirectional plies. This model decomposes the transmission of a linearly polarized ultrasound wave into orthogonal components through each ply of a laminate. High probability is found, by comparisons between the model and tests, in characterizing cured layups of the laminates by using the proposed method.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.401-406
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• 2001

When propagating the thickness direction of composite laminates ultrasound waves interacts strongly with the orientation and sequence of the plies in a layup. Also the layup orientation greatly influences its properties in a composite laminate. If one ply of the layup orientation is misaligned, it could result in the part being rejected and discarded. Now, most researchers cut a small coupon from the waste edge and use a microscope to optically verify the ply sequences on important parts. Those may add a substantial cost to the product since the test is both labor hard and performed after the part is cured. A nondestructive technique would be very beneficial, which could be used to test the part after curing and require less time than the optical test. Therefore we have developed, reduced, and implemented a novel ply-by-ply vector decomposition model for composite lam mates fabricated from unidirectional plies. This model decomposes the transmission of a linearly polarized ultrasound wave into orthogonal components through each ply of a laminate. It is found that a high probability shows between the model and tests developed in characterizing cured layups of the laminates.

• Journal of KIISE
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.910-918
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• 2015

This paper presents a parameter visualization technique to overcome the limitation of the naked eye in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. A method is also proposed to compensate for the distortion and noise in ultrasound image sequences. Meaningful parameters for diagnosing liver disease can be extracted from the dynamic patterns of the contrast enhancement in ultrasound images. The visualization technique can provide more accurate information by generating a parametric image from the dynamic data. Respiratory motions and noise from micro-bubble in ultrasound data may cause a degradation of the reliability of the diagnostic parameters. A multi-stage algorithm for respiratory motion tracking and an image enhancement technique based on the Markov Random Field are proposed. The usefulness of the proposed methods is empirically discussed through experiments by using a set of clinical data.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.217-231
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• 2003

Coded excitation with complementary Golay sequences is an effective means to increase the SNR and penetration of ultrasound imaging. in which the two complementary binary codes are transmitted successively along each scan-line, reducing the imaging frame rate by half. This method suffers from low frame rate particularly when multiple transmit focusing is employed, since the frame rate will be further reduced in proportion to the number of focal zones. In this paper. a new ultrasound imaging technique based on simultaneous multiple transmit focusing using modified orthogonal Golay codes is proposed to improve lateral resolution with no accompanying decrease in the imaging frame rate, in which a pair of orthogonal Golay codes focused at two different focal depths are transmitted simultaneously. On receive, these modified orthogonal Golay codes are separately compressed into two short pulses and individually focused. These two focused beams are combined to form a frame of image with improved lateral resolution. The Golay codes were modified to improve the transmit power efficiency (TPE) for practical imaging. Computer simulations and experimental results show that the proposed method improves significantly the lateral resolution and penetration of ultrasound imaging compared with the conventional method.